Source: SKY_Sports
Blackwell sure duo will stay
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell is confident that both Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker will be at Bramall Lane next season, despite the duo being continually linked with exits.
Both youngsters impressed for the Blades as the club reached the Championship play-off final last season, with England Under 21 international Naughton in particular being looked at by Premier League sides.
Aston Villa and Manchester United are two of the teams said to be interested in the full-back, but Blackwell told skysports.com that neither Naughton or Walker will be allowed to leave this summer.
"We haven't got to sell anybody, so it is our discretion as to whether they leave or not and the club isn't under any financial pressure," he said.
"Everything will be taken on its merits, but I am confident that both players will feature heavily for this club in the future.
"They are only in the infancy of their careers, but there is no doubt that they both possess immense talent and we are delighted to have them with us."
The Blades suffered a frustrating end to the season after Wade Elliott's wonderful strike sealed Burnley's return to the top flight at Wembley in the play-off final.
However, Blackwell has experienced similar agony while working under Neil Warnock at Bramall Lane and also as the main man at Leeds United, and he is confident they will enjoy another successful season next term.
He said: "We always count on the experiences that we've had in life to guide us when the setbacks come around and hopefully that will stand us in good stead for next season.
"We shall see what happens, but I am very confident that we will have another very good season next term.
"When you start running around those tracks you soon forget about play-off finals and the rest of it, so I am not worried at all that the players will dwell over it when pre-season gets under way.
"We will make sure that the players are up and ready for the big kick-off when it comes around that is for sure."
